Dallas Mavericks rookie guard Sergio De Larrea (nicknamed “Larry”) will be reevaluated next week after spraining his right knee on Oct. 26 during a 113‑109 win at Miami. The injury kept him out of the 120‑96 victory over Oklahoma City and the upcoming Oct. 30 game against Houston. Coach Dusty May said De Larrea will undergo imaging and expects a clearer picture soon, while also noting Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović are close to returning. The 20‑year‑old, the 25th overall pick in the 2026 draft, scored 21 points in his Oct. 24 debut against the Spurs. Houston also loses Alperen Şengün to low‑back soreness.
Naji Marshall returns to the Dallas Mavericks after a two‑game illness layoff ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Houston Rockets, while Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović remain out. Coach Dusty May confirms Marshall, who posted 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in his first three games, will suit up after missing the Oct. 24 loss to San Antonio. Caleb Martin is also available despite a thumb splint. Sergio De Larrea (right knee sprain) and Dereck Lively II (foot surgery recovery) stay out, and both Aldama and Biberović are listed as out, with Aldama “very close” to returning after knee surgery and a practice stint with the Texas Legends. Tip‑off is set for 7 p.m. CT at the American Airlines Center.
The Houston Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks Friday, Oct. 30, at 8:00 PM ET in the NBA Cup’s Western Conference opener. The Rockets enter 2‑0 with a 128‑110 win over Dallas on Oct. 21 and a 132‑100 rout of Milwaukee, led by Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. Dallas seeks revenge after a 120‑96 victory over OKC, featuring Cooper Flagg’s 26‑point, eight‑assist night and the possible return of Kyrie Irving. Tune to KFDA NewsChannel 10 Too/Space City Home Network or stream on Fubo (free trial).
The Dallas Mavericks (3-2) travel to host the 5-0 Houston Rockets for the opening night of NBA Cup Group Play on Friday at 7 p.m. CST. The Rockets come off a 30‑point demolition of the Bucks, while the Mavericks are fresh off a dominant win over Oklahoma City. Dallas lists Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberović as doubtful, Sergio De Larrea out with a knee sprain, and Naji Marshall questionable. Houston will miss Steven Adams and Reed Shepard, with Alperen Şengün and Marcus Smart listed as questionable. With both teams dealing injuries, the matchup hinges on Dallas’ defense against Kevin Durant and the health of key players.
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant discussed his appreciation for his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder as he prepares to face his former team on Saturday.
The Houston Rockets have exercised the $14 million fourth-year team option on guard Reed Sheppard for the 2027-28 NBA season, keeping the former third overall pick under contract for another year.
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The Rockets lock up Reed Sheppard for 2027‑28, exercising his $14 million option after a solid rookie season (13.5 pts, 2.9 reb, 3.4 ast). He now averages 10.5 points and 4.8 assists in 23.3 minutes, though his three‑point shooting has slipped to 28.1%. Meanwhile, Dallas’ Daniel Gafford finally hits his first career three‑pointer, earning praise from coach Dusty May as he cements a starting role after a $54.4 million extension. Philadelphia, sitting 4‑1, relies heavily on its starters, with bench scoring at a league‑low 19 ppg and troubling rebounding and three‑point percentages.
The Houston Rockets exercised Reed Sheppard’s fourth‑year team option, guaranteeing him $11.11 million for 2027‑28 and $14.04 million for the following season before he hits restricted free agency in 2028. Drafted third overall in 2024, Sheppard expanded his role after Fred VanVleet’s ACL injury, playing all 82 games, averaging 13.5 points, 3.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds on 43‑39‑80 shooting, and ranking sixth in Sixth Man voting. With VanVleet back, Sheppard continues to post at least four assists in each of the Rockets’ 5‑0 start. Houston’s recent trend of locking up young talent suggests Sheppard could earn a rookie‑scale extension next offseason.
Listen now (62 mins) | We discuss some of our most interesting teams of the past week and how they may need to improve later.
The Wizards debut No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa after a four‑game ankle injury, dropping 19 points on 8‑of‑12 shooting in a 112‑104 loss to Cleveland and impressing coach Brian Keefe with his offense and defense against James Harden. Meanwhile, Rockets guard‑coach Fred VanVleet praises Houston’s early-season chemistry after a fifth straight win, noting training camp energy and a potential 2027‑28 option on Reed Sheppard. Across the league, Warriors star Stephen Curry evaluates rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s “full‑package” skill set after Lendeborg posts 31‑12‑6 vs. Denver and 26 points at Minnesota, while Curry himself erupts for 44 points in Wednesday’s win.
One week into the 2026‑27 NBA season, the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies sit unbeaten at 5‑0, while the Sacramento Kings (0‑5) and Brooklyn Nets (0‑4) remain winless. A rash of injuries—from Jalen Williams' ankle fracture to Kawhi Leonard’s knee swelling—has already reshaped rosters. Highlights include Cameron Boozer becoming the second‑youngest player ever with a triple‑double, Kevin Durant’s steady impact for the Rockets, and Kyrie Irving’s new role in Dallas. The roundup also covers key storylines from the Celtics, Nuggets, and other clubs, plus Ernie Johnson’s final season on “Inside the NBA.”
In an ESPN interview, Rockets forward Kevin Durant reflects on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2025 NBA championship, expressing pride as an alumnus. Durant recalls the city’s support after the 2012 Finals loss and acknowledges that the current title, led by Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, Jalen Williams and GM Sam Presti, builds on the foundation he helped lay with Russell Westbrook and James Harden. While he wishes his former team had won, he praises the Thunder’s culture and evolution, noting his lingering soft spot for Oklahoma City despite now competing against them as a Rocket.
Kevin Durant’s role with the Houston Rockets is shifting. After a demanding 2025‑26 season where injuries forced him to shoulder heavy playmaking and minutes, Durant is now taking a career‑low 12.6 shots per game in the Rockets’ 5‑0 start. The team’s balanced roster—Alperen Sengun’s breakout, Jabari Smith’s improvement, All‑Star‑level Amen Thompson, and the return of point guard Fred VanVleet—allows Durant to contribute without shouldering the offense every night. The article argues that this reduced load benefits both the 37‑year‑old star and the Rockets’ overall success.
The Mavericks host the unbeaten Rockets Friday night in the first NBA Cup group game, just nine days after a 128‑110 loss that exposed Dallas’ transition‑defense woes. Houston, 5‑0 for the first time since 2014‑15, dominated the second quarter of the opener with a 38‑12 run, led by Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. (30 points each) and a strong fast‑break showing. Dallas, now 3‑2, will look to improve after a shaky second‑quarter performance (4‑of‑19 shooting, 0‑of‑14 from three) and a 30‑point halftime deficit. Coach Dusty May emphasizes fixing communication and transition defense, while Kyrie Irving returns after 597 days, scoring 15. Key injuries: Naji Marshall questionable, Santi Aldama doubtful.
The Houston Rockets open the 2026‑27 season 5‑0 after Fred VanVleet returns from a torn ACL, prompting the club to pause any blockbuster trade talks. VanVleet logged six points and 11 assists with no turnovers in a 128‑110 win over Dallas, then exploded for 24 points in a 132‑100 rout of Milwaukee, helping Houston rank third in the league at 123 points per game and a league‑best 40.4% from three. With veteran center Steven Adams also nearing a return, GM Rafael Stone appears content to let the rejuvenated roster develop rather than splurge on a mid‑season star, despite abundant draft assets.
Who had the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies leading the Western Conference?
Ranking the 15 teams in the Western Conference heading into the weekend.
Houston’s Alperen Sengün is listed as questionable for Friday’s NBA Cup matchup against the Dallas Mavericks due to low‑back soreness. The injury sidelined him against Milwaukee, though the Rockets still won 132‑100. Sengün has been stellar this season, averaging 24.5 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists while shooting 58% in his first four games, including a 29‑point performance versus Atlanta and a 23‑point double‑double in the season‑opening win over Dallas (128‑110). Backup center Tari Eason and Clint Capela filled in during his last absence.
The Houston Rockets aren’t planning a major midseason trade; instead, they view point guard Fred VanVleet’s return from an ACL injury as their most significant roster upgrade, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
The Dream Shake preview tackles the upcoming Dec. 6 showdown between the 5-0 Houston Rockets and 4-1 Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, marking Houston’s first NBA Cup game in West Group A. The Rockets have flashed an efficient offense early this season but are missing Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams and possibly Fred VanVleet, while the Mavericks, led by rising star Cooper Flagg, sit at 3-1 after a recent win over OKC. With the line at Hou -5.5 and a 4‑0 Cup record guaranteeing playoff berths, the game serves as a critical road test for both teams. Watch on Space City Home Network at 7 p.m. CT.
The Houston Rockets surge to a 5-0 start, highlighted by a 132‑100 blowout of the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 30, 2026. Improved spacing and the return of Fred VanVleet have allowed Amen Thompson to thrive in his defensive off‑ball role, while veteran contributions from VanVleet and newcomers like Reed Sheppard are fueling the offense. VanVleet praises the team's chemistry and aims to deepen his partnership with Sheppard, whose 2027/28 contract option—worth $14.04 M—looks set to be exercised after a promising breakout season. The Rockets also strategically stay $14K under the luxury‑tax line, positioning themselves as future taxpayers despite Thompson’s upcoming $208 M rookie extension.
The Mavericks open the NBA Cup West Group A against the Rockets on October 27, 2026, a matchup many call the West’s “group of death.” After a recent 18‑point loss where Dallas trailed by 37, the Mavs have rebounded, winning three of four games and posting the league’s tenth‑best offense, while Houston boasts a top‑five defense and a potent 114‑110 win over the Spurs. Key factors to watch: Dallas’ improved offense, Rockets’ star Amen Thompson’s rising impact, and Dusty May’s tournament‑winning pedigree versus Ime Udoka’s lack of titles. A win could give Dallas a crucial 1‑0 start toward the knockout rounds.
The Milwaukee Bucks open the 2026-27 season with a 110-102 win over the Indiana Pacers, highlighted by Ryan Rollins' 19 points and four assists. Rollins downplays a growing on‑court rivalry with Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who insulted him after a preseason shoving incident. Rollins says he’ll focus on the game flow and may retaliate if the chance arises. He also looks ahead to the Bucks’ next challenge against the unbeaten Houston Rockets, stressing the need to solidify their identity on both ends of the court.
The Houston Rockets open the 2026‑27 season with a 5‑0 run, three on the road, under Ime Udoka’s leadership. The article outlines three bold projections: 23‑year‑old Amen Thompson could break out toward All‑Star status, averaging 18.2 points, 8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while improving his defense and three‑point volume; the Rockets could finish as a top‑three Western Conference team thanks to a healthy roster featuring Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün, Fred VanVleet and deep contributors like Bogdanović and Marcus Smart; and they are poised to win at least one playoff round, potentially advancing deep despite last year’s first‑round loss to the Lakers. Injuries to rivals like the Thunder and Timberwolves further boost Houston’s odds.
The Mavericks list Caleb Martin as available (right thumb splint) for Friday’s game vs. the Houston Rockets, while Naji Marshall (illness) remains questionable. Santi Aldama (right knee surgery) and Tarik Biberović (right heel bursitis) are doubtful, and Sergio De Larrea (right knee sprain) and Dereck Lively II (foot surgery) are ruled out. Dallas sits 3‑2 after a 120‑96 win over OKC, with Cooper Flagg posting 26 points. Marshall has missed two games, averaging 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in the first three contests. Houston, 5‑0, lists Alperen Şengün and Marcus Smart as questionable. Tip‑off is 7 p.m. CT at the American Airlines Center.